NAV updates not free?!?!

My 2021 Ram was the first new vehicle I bought in 17 years without a Nav system. I had 3 cars with Navigation, and decided that they basically stink. Between the paid updates and lack of traffic based routing. But they do work when there's no cell signal to help the phone reroute in areas without cell service (in rural areas). So instead I use a Rand McNally GPS tablet designed for RVs. I can update its maps using WiFi. When in RV mode its route software keeps me off roads not designed for towing a travel trailer. And it gets traffic data by using my phone's hotspot. We are driven across the country three times with it and haven't had to turn around for a low overpass or narrow, windy, dangerous road yet.

I'd never use Google or Waze while towing. Google and Waze will route you on the fastest route, regardless of whether your vehicle will fit.

And I have turned off Android Awful... er... Auto, which is the slowest buggiest user experience I've ever seen

Have a '15 3500 towing a 38' 5th wheel. Depended on the factory Nav and learned once was enough. Bought a Garmin with lifetime updates and never looked back. Good luck!

I figured out quick that Nav updates can be a misnomer..

Some things on the road occur and go away randomly….traffic, accidents, construction etc.
Some things are permanent….an existing for years road a new being built, a road closed or changed, brick and mortar locations built, etc.

A phone map updates free and frequently. My Garmin relies on a phone app to give me up to the minute traffic info and such…..free.

I suspect that a “Nav Update” is sometimes about being a system provider paid to include info to funnel drivers to a place. Phone maps will do this too. So the update is not really Navigation but business location. That info is sometimes useful or just a clutter.

I like phone maps as they are super current and free.

At one time, I ran my phone map and pre-installed vehicle app side by side. You guessed it. The phone app was better.
I find the settings in either phone maps or pre-installed apps to be lacking. Can you get shortest distance, time, fuel efficiency, accident avoidance no turns across 4 lanes programmed on the fly and still drive undistracted?

Doug Ram said:

My 2021 Ram was the first new vehicle I bought in 17 years without a Nav system. I had 3 cars with Navigation, and decided that they basically stink. Between the paid updates and lack of traffic based routing. But they do work when there's no cell signal to help the phone reroute in areas without cell service (in rural areas).

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You can easily download the maps along your route to your phone with Google Maps.

CaseyJones said:

I bought a late 2018 Laramie Longhorn 2500 diesel new in early 2019 and now Uconnect is trying to sell me updates for the NAV? My truck listed for over $74K and I have to pay for updates, too? That just doesn't seem to be right. It seems like that updates should be part of the package deal. I guess my friends Google and Siri will have to help me get to new locations. Anyone else miffed about having to pay for the updates?

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No it will still work. But I will buy mine when available in the fall no biggie

can you post a picture of the set up of your tablet during travel, and post the brand and model of tablet?

Doug Ram said:

My 2021 Ram was the first new vehicle I bought in 17 years without a Nav system. I had 3 cars with Navigation, and decided that they basically stink. Between the paid updates and lack of traffic based routing. But they do work when there's no cell signal to help the phone reroute in areas without cell service (in rural areas). So instead I use a Rand McNally GPS tablet designed for RVs. I can update its maps using WiFi. When in RV mode its route software keeps me off roads not designed for towing a travel trailer. And it gets traffic data by using my phone's hotspot. We are driven across the country three times with it and haven't had to turn around for a low overpass or narrow, windy, dangerous road yet.

I'd never use Google or Waze while towing. Google and Waze will route you on the fastest route, regardless of whether your vehicle will fit.

And I have turned off Android Awful... er... Auto, which is the slowest buggiest user experience I've ever seen

Click to expand...

Robert Armstrong said:

I own a 2019 Ram Big Horn with GPS. UCONNECT offered a maps update late in 2021 for $150. I decided NOT to get the maps update because I was happily with Apple Maps with Apple Car Play on the UCONNECT screen. The only problem is the GPS is worthless in bad telephone service areas. The UCONNECT GPS is satellite operated - so it is not dependent on telephone signal strength.
Last month UCONNECT offered the maps update for 1/3 off - or $100. I decided to go ahead and get it.
The update came on a flash drive with very detailed instructions. The instructions were a little tedious - but I folllowed the provided instructions very carefully. The download was successfully completed in about 2 hours.
I use the UCONNECT GPS almost exclusively now - because there is no satellite interruption to the signals. I am very happy with the map quality and current information.
Robert Armstrong

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can you please tell us all the differance you noticed between the old program and the newly updated version?

Doug Ram said:

My 2021 Ram was the first new vehicle I bought in 17 years without a Nav system. I had 3 cars with Navigation, and decided that they basically stink. Between the paid updates and lack of traffic based routing. But they do work when there's no cell signal to help the phone reroute in areas without cell service (in rural areas). So instead I use a Rand McNally GPS tablet designed for RVs. I can update its maps using WiFi. When in RV mode its route software keeps me off roads not designed for towing a travel trailer. And it gets traffic data by using my phone's hotspot. We are driven across the country three times with it and haven't had to turn around for a low overpass or narrow, windy, dangerous road yet.

I'd never use Google or Waze while towing. Google and Waze will route you on the fastest route, regardless of whether your vehicle will fit.

And I have turned off Android Awful... er... Auto, which is the slowest buggiest user experience I've ever seen

Click to expand...

Android Auto is a Great GPS for me. Gives a good route and clear timely audio directions. I used my other GPS systems until I found out it uses little Data.

bandit1170 said:

At first I was a little annoyed my 2018 Laramie didn’t include NAV, but am so glad it didn’t now. Use Car Play and aside from having to plug in my phone to use it, I feel is way better. Waze and Google Maps on my iPhone are always going to be up to date with road construction info and other new data. I’ve been toying with the idea of trying one of the wireless adapters but with the phone plugged in, I know it’s going to be fully charged when I get where I’m going.

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I started using Android Auto recently when a GPS is needed. I just noticed that I would do a Google Map search on my laptop at home. Then when I go to use the Ram Uconnect Android Auto if I start to type the address into the Search line the wanted address pops up.!! Making it too easy. )

Jim Carelas said:

Android Auto is a Great GPS for me. Gives a good route and clear timely audio directions. I used my other GPS systems until I found out it uses little Data.

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Android Auto works great for most people. But it isn't really the GPS. It's only the interface with your car. And unlike Apple Car-Play many Android phones don't do it very well. Anyway the GPS is in your phone and the navigation depends on having cell data to update the turn by turn instructions, especially if you go off route. It works great for normal driving in areas with good roads, and 3G or better cell service. For those of us who pull a tall or long trailer, or drive in rural areas without cell data, relying on a phone for GPS can be dangerous. There are lots of RVers who've found themselves facing a low overpass. Or worse.

Here is an example of why relying on Google Maps can be trouble. One of the roads (Dry Creek Rd) to the campground I am in now (in the Sierra Nevada Mts.) turns into 16 miles of poor pavement, one and a half lanes and twist hairpins. It does so after 5 miles of nice pavement. It's a state route with no sign of problems until you've been on it for 5 miles. Then there is no place to turn around an RV! Yet when coming out of Sequoia National Park, Google will put you on it every time. None of the settings will keep you off it. My Rand McNally GPS won't use this road unless I put it in car mode and tell it I prefer small roads AND the shortest route.

Billet Bee said:

can you post a picture of the set up of your tablet during travel, and post the brand and model of tablet?

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Its a Rand McNally Model OverDryve RV 7 Tablet. Its not the cheaper OverDryve 7C, which is for cars only. Mine has routing software for RVs and cars.
https://www.randmcnally.com/product/overdryve-7-rv
It runs on Android. Its a 7 inch tablet with several RV related functions. It also is linked to a cloud based trip planner, which you can create complex multi stop, multi leg trips, input GPS coordinates, addresses, etc on a large screen at home. The GPS can download them using your phone's hotspot or home Wifi. Its basically a simple tablet with GPS software as its primary use. You will have to also buy a microSDcard for it. But good luck finding a new one. There are a few available on ebay. Seems as if the chip shortage and made in China syndrome has hit RM hard.

jejb said:

You can easily download the maps along your route to your phone with Google Maps.

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Yes you can, but there is a big BUT for rural residents and long distance travelers. You must remember to download the large area detailed map while using wifi or in cell served areas (using data). When you have no cell service and go off the original planned route or the original downloaded detailed map, you will be stuck with the low detail Google background map that is always loaded on your phone. Your location will be shown as a dot on this map. Unfortunately there is no detailed small road data for much of the nation on this "fuzzy" map. And while you have no cell service there are no updated, detailed step by step instructions or detour information if you go too far off route. When you get back into an area with cell service the map and instructions will update from that point. It's the getting back to cell served areas that can be the frightening part. Believe me, I know what I speak of.

I don't necessarily mind using android auto, but I avoid it because you don't get the full 12" screen, only half a card and I think that sucks. Whoever came up with that design, ( when you plug your phone ) isn't very intelligent. I mean at least give the option to go full screen. We ful time in a 50' fiver that's 27k itself, so I don't have the luxury of being able to squint and find the dot in relation to the exact rd coming up that I need to turn on, where the 12" screen does great at presenting the view ahead of time to plan your maneuver. I really don't want to add another GPS device to clutter things up even more.

Doug Ram said:

Yes you can, but there is a big BUT for rural residents and long distance travelers. You must remember to download the large area detailed map while using wifi or in cell served areas (using data). When you have no cell service and go off the original planned route or the original downloaded detailed map, you will be stuck with the low detail Google background map that is always loaded on your phone. Your location will be shown as a dot on this map. Unfortunately there is no detailed small road data for much of the nation on this "fuzzy" map. And while you have no cell service there are no updated, detailed step by step instructions or detour information if you go too far off route. When you get back into an area with cell service the map and instructions will update from that point. It's the getting back to cell served areas that can be the frightening part. Believe me, I know what I speak of.

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You are correct. I live in Arkansas, and get into areas with no cell service too. It can be disconcerting if you don't have the maps downloaded, no doubt.

CaseyJones said:

I bought a late 2018 Laramie Longhorn 2500 diesel new in early 2019 and now Uconnect is trying to sell me updates for the NAV? My truck listed for over $74K and I have to pay for updates, too? That just doesn't seem to be right. It seems like that updates should be part of the package deal. I guess my friends Google and Siri will have to help me get to new locations. Anyone else miffed about having to pay for the updates?

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FUN FACT, Nav systems still running on 3G signals will be 100% useless by December, 2022. All majoe wirelss companies will be deactivating those satelites. Check your year with the dealer to see if you dont need to bother paying to upgrade when we'll all be asking Santa for a whole new system this Xmas.

Jay Peazee said:

FUN FACT, Nav systems still running on 3G signals will be 100% useless by December, 2022. All majoe wirelss companies will be deactivating those satelites. Check your year with the dealer to see if you dont need to bother paying to upgrade when we'll all be asking Santa for a whole new system this Xmas.

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Its not GPS satellites that are being shut off but the 3G cell system. Systems dependent on 3G for updates and turn by turn instructions and downloading updates will lose massive functionality. There have been some offers for conversion dongles and new radios.... but also complaints about them not working well.

I hear and understand the difference. I will remember this if I should ever find myself in a trailer mode need. I still have my Magellan GPS stored in the bottom of my console for any occasion that my Google/Phone UConnect fails me.

I guess it's good someone like you that understands the needs for heavy trailers will monitor this stuff for the rest of us. Thanks for the pleasant informative communication.

Doug Ram said:

Its not GPS satellites that are being shut off but the 3G cell system. Systems dependent on 3G for updates and turn by turn instructions and downloading updates will lose massive functionality. There have been some offers for conversion dongles and new radios.... but also complaints about them not working well.

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Yep, I just saw last week where the 3G system will be useless to much of our communication needs. I'm waiting to see how that will affect my personal needs.!!

My 2007 came with a "cup / cell phone with Waze app holder" that hasn't let me down yet. On long trips, I use the wife-connect-to-Waze feature...got us out of a all lanes shut down traffic jam because of an accident about 100 miles south of Atlanta on I-75 a few years back.

I suspect we must still use our “wits” when in unfamiliar areas.

Around familiar areas, I sometimes ignore what any mapping app tells me is best. I.e. I have used secondary roads and saved lots of stress and time from the route the app insists on. Settings not appropriate or the programmed app logic we can’t change is probably why I can be a temporary smart driver.

Sometimes a mile shorter distance can mean lots of extra time in slow traffic if I not remember I’m programmed for shortest distance.